The War - The good coat

“It’s a shame,” said Artem. “It’s a good coat.” 

“That’s why we’re leaving it. Russians are tramps, thieving tramps. They don’t have nice things, any money they make they spend on vodka and cards. Winter is coming, they see a coat like that they will steal it.” 

“It’s a shame. It IS a good winter coat, my best.” 

Thing of the cause, Artem. You are sacrificing the coat for Ukraine.” 

“It is sad to leave it though.” 

“But leave it you must. Make haste, the Russians are nearly in town, we must leave."

xxx 

“Look at this, Aleksandr.” 

“What is it, Mikhail, is there anyone in the house?” 

“No, the Ukranian cowards have fled, they heard us coming and ran. But look what they’ve left behind, have you ever seen such a coat. Stylish and warm. Who would leave such a coat behind.” 

“Tsch, it’s summer Mikhail, who wears a winter coat in summer?” 

“But winter will come, Aleksandr, and when it does, I will never go cold now.” 

“It’s a good coat, Mikhail. Too good for you.” 

“Finders keepers.” 

“It’s too big for you. Look, it’s my size. I will take this, we will find another coat in another house.  All of Ukraine have fled, they have left all their belongings behind, like a free shopping mall. We just help ourselves.” 

“I saw it first, it’s mine. Besides, you’ve already got a coat.  I’ve got nothing, just my uniform. I’ll freeze in winter without it.” 

“They say it will all be over in two weeks, Ukraine doesn’t know how to fight, just how to flee.” 

“Winter will still come all the same, war or no war. There are only two certainties in life, Aleksandr, bitter cold winters and death.” 

“You should write greeting card messages, you have a way with words.” 

Mikhail puts on the coat and parades around the room. 

“Look at me, Aleksandr, ready for winter.  I could sleep in this coat, it’s like a fleece.” 

“Don’t go to sleep just yet, Mikhail, we have an entire town to plunder.” 

xxx 

“That’s the signal.  We have them Artem, they’re all bunkered down, sleeping, satisfied with their loot, completely oblivious. The drones will see to the rest.” 

“Yes, the drones will obliterate everything, Dmitri. Everything. Including my coat. My good winter coat.” 

“It was worth it though. What a trick, a GPS tracker sown into the lining, ready for the thieving Russian scum to steal and take us to their quarters. There they lie, sleeping ducks, soon to be roasted ducks.” 

“It was a good trick, and I don’t mourn the Russians. They deserve what’s coming. But I will miss that coat. It was a good coat.